Bushy Run legion perfect in regional play

With the Region 7 American Legion Tournament pool play concluding on Monday, District 31 Champion Bushy Run went unblemished. The Beavers opened the regional on Saturday with a 1-0 victory against Beech Creek in Bellefonte, as Nolan Marasti spun a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits with seven strikeouts. On Sunday, Bushy Run overwhelmed Murrysville 14-5 at Bald Eagle High School, as Brody Hoffman, Peyton Bigler, Gavin Good, and Tyler Freas each posted multi-hit efforts. The Beavers completed their perfect run through pool play on Monday at Bellefonte, edging St. Michaels 3-2, as Robbie Andrews worked six scoreless innings and Ian Temple homered. Additionally from District 31, Latrobe opened with a 4-2 victory against Huntingdon County on Saturday at Bald Eagle, but fell to Bedford 9-4 on Sunday and lost to Philipsburg 4-3 Monday. Murrysville opened play against St. Michaels on Saturday, but the game was suspended by darkness after seven innings. The Eagles prevailed 9-8 when the game resumed on Sunday, but Murrysville fell to the Beavers later in the day.

Cuthbert to guide GCC girls soccer

Derek Cuthbert, a former WPIAL championship-winning coach, was hired to guide the Greensburg Central Catholic girls soccer team last week. Cuthbert oversaw Penn-Trafford during its district title run in 2003, and he remains a teacher in the PT district. Cuthbert inherits a Centurions squad that went 15-5-0 last year, reaching the WPIAL and PIAA semifinals. He replaces Kara Batey, who stepped down after one season at the helm of GCC.

Norwin announces latest Athletic HOF class

Norwin’s championship girls soccer and basketball teams and six individuals comprise the Class of 2023 for the Norwin Athletic Hall of Fame that was announced last week. The Knights girls soccer teams from 2015-17 claimed two WPIAL titles and a PIAA championship, while the 2015 girls basketball squad captured WPIAL gold. The individual inductees include: Les Harvath (Class of 65 – coach and contributor); Paul Bugajski (06 – baseball); Erika Haitz (06 – track, soccer, basketball); Heath Coles (13 – wrestling); Emily Harrigan (18 – soccer); and Maria Santilli (18 – tennis). The induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 19 at Stratigos Banquet Center in North Huntingdon.

WCCA 7-on-7 set for this week

The 12th-annual Westmoreland County Coaches Association (WCCA) 7-on-7 Passing Tournament will take place this week, as 15 county schools will compete on Thursday at Greater Latrobe High School. The defending champion and host Wildcats will have two squads, each placed in different pools. Other teams in Pool A include Derry Area, Franklin Regional, Hempfield Area, Jeannette, Mount Pleasant Area, Valley, and Yough. Pool B also consists of Burrell, Greensburg Central Catholic, Greensburg Salem, Kiski Area, Norwin, Penn-Trafford, and Southmoreland. The Warriors boast five titles, while the Spartans and Knights have each won twice. The event is named in honor of former WCCA President Larry Sellitto.

Seton Hill’s Vaupel selected in MLB Draft

Kevin Vaupel, a standout pitcher from Seton Hill University, was selected by the Miami Marlins in the Major League Baseball draft last week. The Marlins tabbed Vaupel in the 16th round at pick 473 on Tuesday, and he signed with the team on Saturday. Despite missing significant time with injury, Vaupel compiled a record of 7-1 with an ERA of 1.80 and 79 strikeouts in 60 innings in 2023. In his four-year career with the Griffins, he went 14-5 with an ERA of 3.33 and 186 strikeouts. He is the sixth baseball player in SHU history to be chosen in the draft.